Minnesota Orchestra conductor makes rare plea for labor peace

The conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra said the orchestra's future and quality are in peril if management and musicians aren't soon able to settle a labor dispute that has silenced the group since a breakdown in salary negotiations resulted in a lockout starting Oct. 1.

In a letter sent to the musicians and the orchestra board, published on the musicians' website Thursday, Nov. 15, Osmo Vanska said the orchestra has developed a world-class reputation, "But now I feel we may be on a path to diminishing greatly, if not destroying, the Minnesota Orchestra as an artistic and cultural leader."

Vanska said he is "desperately anxious about the risk posed to the quality and spirit of the orchestra for the future," given the lack of rehearsals and performances and the risk that musicians may seek jobs elsewhere while the lockout continues.

"It is difficult to imagine that the current negotiation process will sustain the orchestra's future," Vanska wrote.

He said recording projects and planned performances at Carnegie Hall in the 2013-14 season and future international touring might be threatened by a "diminished or compromised orchestra."

"If the orchestra does not play, its quality will most definitely diminish. Please, do what it takes, find a way, talk together, listen to each other and come to a resolution of this dreadful situation," Vanska wrote.

One thing labor and management could agree on: Vanska's letter was unexpected.

Minnesota Orchestral Association Board Chairman Jon Campbell said Vanska's decision to weigh in on the labor dispute was "unusual, probably even extraordinary" for a music director.

Advertisement

Vanska is not a member of the orchestra's union.

"It's unprecedented," said Douglas Wright, principal trombonist for the orchestra and a member of the musicians' negotiating committee.

Wright said conductors typically try to stay neutral during conflicts between management and musicians. But he said Vanska's concerns about the future and quality of the orchestra are justified, and he thought the letter was sympathetic to the musicians' side.

"I hope it shakes up at least some members of the board," Wright said.

Campbell said, "I also really appreciate Osmo shares our interest in getting the Minnesota Orchestral Association and the musicians back to the table."

Campbell said Vanska's letter acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the orchestra.

"He certainly, from my perspective, has maintained the neutrality that's expected," Campbell said. "We all want to get back to work here."

Campbell rejected the idea that the community will be left with a diminished institution.

"We're never going to allow an orchestra to perform that isn't world class, that isn't outstanding," Campbell said.

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is going through a similar labor dispute. Musicians were locked out Oct. 21, and performances were canceled after labor and management failed to agree on a new contract.